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It started in 1660 with Louis XIV. The Sun King journeyed across the French provinces to find the perfect I-do spot. Pheasant Island on the Spanish border found favour with the young man and he married the Infanta of Spain there; not in a private, guarded ceremony but with galas marked by abundance-

It started in 1660 with Louis XIV. The Sun King journeyed across the French provinces to find the perfect I-do spot. Pheasant Island on the Spanish border found favour with the young man and he married the Infanta of Spain there; not in a private, guarded ceremony but with galas marked by abundance-of music, fireworks, rituals, feasts and beautiful people. And destination weddings became the norm.

A zillion years later, the proles are still doing it. Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes situated their bigfat extravagance in an Italian castle, Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green traipsed off to Hawaii and Lakshmi Mittal's daughter Vanisha chose Vaux le Vicomte to marry her investment banker. Singer Robbie Williams and his bride Ayda Field got their guests to William's Beverly Hills mansion under the impression that they were having a James Bond-themed party and the wedding ceremony saw the couple's eight dogs playing bridesmaids.

The beauty of the destination wedding is that it works even for the keep-it-simple bride who's outraged by the outre, finds no pleasure in the traditional and the idea of hordes of guests lining up formally brings on a tranq moment. A friend's house in the Bahamas did the trick for Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. For those deprived of friends with handy homes on the islands, here's our pick of the most romantic faraway places to end singledom.

The great wall of ChinaThey may not be able to see you from the moon-despite claims to the contrary-but how about getting married on the 'The long wall of 10,000 Li', aka the Great Wall of China, and creating history of your own? Dressed in a flowing gown, walking along the Great Wall, with a select gathering of friends and family-what could be more utopian? If you'd rather not scale those heights, step alongside to the rooftop of the Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski.

Located towards Badaling, this is a collection of contemporary villas designed by 12 Asian architects which organises settings for wedding parties on the Wall as well as receptions for up to 500 people at its ballroom and smaller parties at the villas. The Great Wall Exit No.53 at Shuiguan G6 Jingzang Highway, Beijing; Tel: +86-10-81181888; http://www.kempinski.com

Necker IslandOwner Richard Branson married his wife Joan here, arriving at the ceremony clinging to a helicopter. Couples with acrophobia can pass up that one because there's plenty more to do on Necker Island. This Caribbean location is perfect for couples seeking wedding vows on 74 acres surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters, coral reefs and gorgeous sandy beaches.

There's also a team of 60 fabulous staff and 200 flamingos standing by to cater to the guests. You can host a wedding celebration for up to a hundred guests here. Though the Necker only sleeps 28, extra accommodation can be arranged in neighbouring resorts in the British Virgin islands. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands; Tel: +1 (212) 994 3070; enquiries@virginlimitededition. com

Sudeley CastleCelebrate your big day in a traditional setting at Gloucestershire's Sudeley Castle. This was one of the venues for Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar's famous wedding that spanned eight days and two continents in 2007. With reason. What's more romantic than getting married amid romantic ruins, acres of lawns and the Cotswold Hills as backdrop?

There are three marquee sites within the grounds: the North Lawn, which is the private lawn of the owners, the Hop Field that can accommodate around 500 guests and the Mulberry Lawn for gatherings of upto 180. There is also a wedding organiser at hand to help with marquee design, decorations, entertainment and the menu. Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JD; Tel: +44 (0)1242 602308; enquiries@sudeley.org.uk

Chateau of Vaux le VicomteBrides don't seem to mind that this was the home of the villainous Hugo Drax in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker. Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal's daughter Vanisha had her traditional Indian wedding at this baroque French chateau before moving to the Jardin des Tuileries for the reception. A couple of years later, the chateau saw the nuptials of Eva Longoria and Tony Parker. Set on 100 acres by the picturesque town of Maincy, this two-winged manse (built for Nicolas Fouquet, King Louis XIV's finance minister) features the grand Salon des Muses that was decorated by painter Charles le Brun and gorgeous gardens landscaped by architect Andr le N´tre, who also did the gardens at Versailles.

For their gourmet offering, couples can choose between the Grand Salon which accommodates up to 400 guests for a sit-down dinner and 800 for cocktails or the magnificent rooms on the ground floor that are rented out for private lunches and dinners. The drawback: no overnight accommodation on the property, but then Paris is just a 55-km limo ride away. Price on application. 77950 Maincy, France; Tel: +33 (0)164144190; chateau@vaux-le-vicomte.com

One & only Reethi Rah ResortSail in by luxury yacht to this unspoilt venue and get married amid wonderful views of expansive white sand coves and turquoise bays in the North Male' atoll, Maldives. Rent out this 109-acre island known as a destination for "ceremonies of blessing rather than legally binding" for your D-day. The wedding package here includes a candlelit dinner with a personalised menu in a private villa or on the beach. More than 200 guests can stay in the 130 Asian-influenced duplex beach villas, built on the water. North Male' Atoll, Tel: +19606648800; reservations@oneandonlyresorts.com

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